Detroit Tigers: Identifying Three Ideal Trade Partners

Detroit Tigers general manager Al Avila is looking to make the team more financially sustainable and younger. With marquee free agent signings a thing of the past, trades are more likely.

Detroit Tigers fans will likely see the team announce a few trades before all is said and done this offseason.

Al Avila is in the midst of paring down the team’s payroll while also injecting youth. The general manager has already made one trade so far, dealing center fielder Cameron Maybin to Anaheim for hard-throwing pitching prospect Victor Alcantara.

However, that isn’t likely to be the end of it.

J.D. Martinez, Francisco Rodriguez, Mike Pelfrey, Mark Lowe, Victor Martinez and Anibal Sanchez could all conceivably be moved this offseason.

In other words, change is in the air.

While key veterans like Justin Verlander and Miguel Cabrera seem unlikely to move, there will be some new faces on Detroit’s roster next season.

The team does need the youth that Avila is actively seeking, so next season will represent a new chapter for the Tigers.

Change can often be a good thing, especially if Detroit acquires some exciting young talent in trades for the likes of Martinez and Rodriguez.

In terms of prospects and respective needs, here are the ideal trading partners for the Detroit Tigers.